SILENT SINNERS, a mafia romance.

004.

I SHOOK MY HEAD, TRYING TO CLEAR MY THOUGHTS AND PUSHED OPEN KATIE AND THATCHERS FRONT DOOR. The cool night air hit my face, a stark contrast to the stifling tension inside. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the evening pressing down on me.

As I walked away from the house, I couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on my back, of the judgment and concern from those I left behind. But I couldn't turn back. Not now. Not when the facade was all I had left to cling to.

It was then I remembered I was drunk and had no way home tonight. My mind was a foggy mess, and the reality of my situation began to sink in like a heavy weight in my chest. I fumbled for my phone in my pocket, hoping to call a cab, but my heart sank when I saw the screen was black. Out of battery. Of course. Life couldn't get much worse, I thought bitterly.

I wrapped my arms around myself, the cool night air biting at my skin as I started to walk aimlessly down the sidewalk. The quiet hum of the distant city nightlife seemed to mock my solitude, each step feeling heavier than the last. My head was spinning, both from the alcohol and the emotional turmoil of the evening. I couldn't shake the image of Blake's angry face, the sting of his slap still fresh on my cheek.

Just as I was about to cross the street, a sudden, sharp beeping noise startled me. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. A car's headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating my figure. Squinting, I recognized the familiar outline of Blake's car. He was in the driver's seat, staring at me with a fury that sent a chill down my spine.

Maybe he would finally kill me tonight.

His eyes were dark, seething with anger. Even from a distance, I could feel the intensity of his gaze. I hesitated, my body frozen in place as he rolled down the window, the mechanical whir cutting through the night's stillness.

"Get in the car, Paisley," Blake's voice was low and dangerous, barely concealing the rage simmering beneath the surface. "Now!" he barked, slamming his hand against the steering wheel. The sound echoed down the empty street, and I flinched.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to move. The walk to the car felt like an eternity, each step filled with dread. When I finally reached the passenger side, I hesitated again, my hand trembling as I reached for the door handle.

Blake's patience snapped. "For fuck's sake, Paisley, get in!" His voice was a growl, sending a shiver down my spine.

I opened the door and slid into the seat, the car's interior offering little comfort. The familiar scent of leather and Blake's cologne was suffocating. He didn't look at me as I buckled my seatbelt, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.

The silence between us was thick, oppressive. Blake's jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as he pulled away from the curb. The tension in the car was palpable, every passing second stretching into an eternity.

"I thought you left," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Blake's eyes bore into mine, a mixture of anger and possessiveness in his gaze. "Left? You think I would leave you there with all of those fuckers?"

I stayed silent, unable to find the words.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my face. "On that note, you're never seeing them again. If I find out you're in contact with any of them again, you better start praying to the Lord above."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. His threat hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. I gulped, trying to muster the courage to speak, but my voice failed me. The words lodged in my throat, refusing to come out. My silence only seemed to fuel his anger further.